- Lathyrus is a genus in the pea family and contains species such as Lathyrus savitus (grass pea) and Lathyrus odorata (sweet pea). Grass pea is used as a famine food, especially in India, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, because the plants are extremely hardy and the seeds are high in protein. However, chronic consumption of large quantities of the seeds can cause neurolathyrism, osteolathyrism, or angiolathyrism. Lathyrism is thought to be one of the oldest neurotoxic diseases and was well-described in India 2,000 years ago and again in France in 1829. It used to be prevalent throughout Europe, northern Africa, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia. Today, lathyrism is found primarily in India, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia, primarily during famine crises or droughts.
- There is currently insufficient evidence available in humans to support the use of Lathyrus spp. for any medical indication.
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Lathyrus
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- Anton Girones M, de la Hoz CB, Munoz MT, et al. Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma by exposure to Lathyrus sativus flour. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr.) 2005;33(6):326-328.
View Abstract - Bell EA. Nonprotein amino acids of plants: significance in medicine, nutrition, and agriculture. J Agric Food Chem 5-7-2003;51(10):2854-2865.
View Abstract - Carod-Artal FJ. [Neurological syndromes linked with the intake of plants and fungi containing a toxic component (I). Neurotoxic syndromes caused by the ingestion of plants, seeds and fruits]. Rev Neurol 5-1-2003;36(9):860-871.
View Abstract - Conn HO, Rossle M, Levy L, et al. Portosystemic myelopathy: spastic paraparesis after portosystemic shunting. Scand J Gastroenterol 2006;41(5):619-625.
View Abstract - Getahun H, Lambein F, Van der SP. ABO blood groups, grass pea preparation, and neurolathyrism in Ethiopia. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2002;96(6):700-703.
View Abstract - Getahun H, Lambein F, Vanhoorne M, et al. Food-aid cereals to reduce neurolathyrism related to grass-pea preparations during famine. Lancet 11-29-2003;362(9398):1808-1810.
View Abstract - Grela Eugeniusz R, Studzinski T, Winiarska A. Lathyrism in people and animals. Publication of the Polish Society of Veterinary Sciences 2000;56(9):558-562.
- Lisiewska Z, Korus A, Kmiecik W. Changes in chemical composition during development of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) seeds. Nahrung 2003;47(6):391-396.
View Abstract - Melka A, Tekle-Haimanot R, Lambien F. Symptomatic treatment of neurolathyrism with tolperisone HCL (Mydocalm): a randomized double blind and placebo controlled drug trial. Ethiop Med J 1997;35(2):77-91.
View Abstract - Porcel S, Leon F, Valero AM, et al. Occupational rhinitis and asthma by Lathyrus sativus flour: characterization of allergens. J Allergy Clin.Immunol 2001;107(4):743-744.
View Abstract - Pratap Rudra MP, Singh MR, Junaid MA, et al. Metabolism of dietary ODAP in humans may be responsible for the low incidence of neurolathyrism. Clin Biochem 2004;37(4):318-322.
View Abstract - Ravindranath V. Neurolathyrism: mitochondrial dysfunction in excitotoxicity mediated by L-beta-oxalyl aminoalanine. Neurochem Int 2002;40(6):505-509.
View Abstract - Spencer PS. Food toxins, ampa receptors, and motor neuron diseases. Drug Metab Rev 1999;31(3):561-587.
View Abstract - Warren BA, Patel SA, Nunn PB, et al. The Lathyrus excitotoxin beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid is a substrate of the L-cystine/L-glutamate exchanger system xc-. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 10-15-2004;200(2):83-92.
View Abstract - Yan ZY, Spencer PS, Li ZX, et al. Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) and its neurotoxin ODAP. Phytochemistry 2006;67(2):107-121.
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